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Monday, 5 June 2017

Guest Photographer Sylvie Mazerolle of Moncton, New Brunswick

The Scribbler is very happy to have Sylvie as our guest this
week. She has kindly agreed to share some of her beautiful photos and participate in a 4Q Interview.

Growing up in a New-Brunswick fishing
village it didn’t seem possible
that someone could create a livelihood pursuing artistic expression. Being from
a very practical family, she steered away from the deep longing to create. But
eventually she just couldn’t
deny the hunger to live her truest self.

Make-up artistry was her first
opportunity. While working as a dental assistant in Moncton, a TV producer
landed in the dental chair. That’s where she got her first break landing a
daily gig doing make-up on background cast.“I wanted more. I wanted to live in that creative world and pursue my
dream of becoming a full-time artist.” says Sylvie. But New Brunswick isn’t exactly a mecca of media production. In
her 30th year the opportunity arose to moved to Toronto and pursue make-up artistry more seriously. “I
quickly learned that pursuing your dreams is damn hard work. It took me six
months to find my feet and when I did I landed in the world of independent
Canadian film. I appreciated the opportunity but I couldn’t ignore the feeling that maybe I wasn’t in the most ideal place for how I
wanted to fully express myself. I felt the pull into the world of fashion.”

Soon she was collaborating with photographers on everything from
make-up & hair to artistic direction. This is where her true love of
artistic expression found its’ synergy. Earning a good living doing what she loved while growing as
an artist in every way.

Just when she was peaking and finding her
stride, everything changed. Pregnancy. Parenthood.

And like others who found themselves as
first time parents away from extended family, the pull to go home was
undeniable. Artistic expression would have to wait.

“I came home with my eyes wide open and
knew that earning a living doing what I loved might not be possible. I tried
jobs related to my career and knew, I was trying to recapture what I had
instead of accepting the new reality.”

After much introspection and dabbling in other mediums, her heart
eventually settled on photography. After all she had stood beside many of the
top photographers in Canada and felt confident it was the means most closely
aligned to her artistic identity. But instead of a controlled studio space, she
wanted to find compelling expression in the world around her. Reconnect with
her environment. The more she practiced her craft the more she felt drawn to
the world of abstraction & colour.

Instead of merely reflecting back the
world around her, small, minute details caught her attention. The more she
captured these solemn moments the more she started to find her creative self
once again. The more she found her creative self the more opportunity she saw
to give it a purpose. And so she did. “My work is about finding beauty in the
mundane. And once again, I have found my artistic voice.”

4Q. When did you develop your interest in taking photos?

SM:About 15 years ago. I
was working as a make-up artist in Toronto. I had to take pictures of actors
for continuity purposes. The industry was just starting to switch to digital
from Polaroid and I bought myself a Canon Powershot G3.It was love at first click. I still have it
as a matter of fact.The sets were
always perfectly lit.I would take
advantage of it in my down time to snap away.Plus the streets of Toronto always have something interesting going on
at any given time.

4Q:Are your photos planned or spontaneous?

SM:I would say 95% of my
images are spontaneous. I have dabbled in still life and staging a few shots
but it never looks like it does in my mind’s eye.I prefer letting the subject
speak and reveal its self to me. I do give myself themes sometimes like for
example only shoot things that are yellow or round or 10 feet from the house.

4Q: Pleased share a childhood anecdote or memory.

SM: Wow a child hood memory.

So many to choose from like picking wild berries with my
grandmothers and making homemade jams. Sunday drives down to the docks to get
soft vanilla ice-cream from the dairy bar, swimming in the river from sun up to
sundown with my feet all cut from chards of glass stuck in the mud, climbing
the big pine tree in my back yard to the very top and swaying in the wind,
listening to my mom play Fleetwood Mac songs on the guitar, canoeing with my
dad, skating on the frozen river & ponds. These are a few of my favourites

4Q: What should we know about your future in photography? Any
shows planned?

SM:My vision is to have
gallery exhibits around the world but for now I have an exhibit in a local
Gallery in Moncton:“The Champlain
Dental Gallery”. Yes you read it right. A dental office that also acts as an
art gallery and support to local artists.

For a few Sunday’s this summer I’ll be at the local market in
Shediac, New-Brunswick

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SHORTS Vol.1

The Ship Breakers - Breaking gigantic ships by hand is dangerous and gruelling work. Many workers are children. The wages are low. ( This story received Honorable Mention in the WFNB's short story competition) Lloyd and the Baby - A bachelor finds an abandoned baby. What does he do with it? The Shattered Figurine - Detective Josephine (Jo) Naylor is told where to find the next body with a plea to help the killer stop this madness. The Two Grumpy Old Man Cafe - The meals are delicious, the atmosphere perfect and the insults are free. Available at Amazon. Please CLICK on the book cover.

SHORTS Vol.2

Five engaging short stories that will keep you wanting more by this author. *Four Boxes of Memories – Lloyd Minister moves to a nursing home with his most important possessions and he can’t take everything with him. *Reaching the Pinnacle - Grandfather and granddaughter hike the highest mountain in their province. Around the campfire, the young lady has something important to tell her Gramps. *Pioneers in a Hurry - A fond recollection of three grown men acting like boys on an all-night camping trip. Being mischievous comes naturally. *Near Dead - Detective Jo Naylor finds herself in the dark. She’s not alone. Someone wants her dead. *Six Jutlands and a Conestoga - The Verhoeven family have everything they own in a wagon, children and all. The mysterious west beckons. Available at Amazon. Please click on the book cover.

SHORTS Vol.3

Letting Go - a son deals with his deceased father's "boxes of memories". One Bedroom Ark - Noah Coyne owns a convenience story, the last customer of the night will change his life. Two Boys, One Wagon and a Secret - In the 50's, a young boy's pride was a red wagon. What do they discover one day when they are out filling it up with returnables? No Dying Today - Det. Jo Naylor and her partner search for the man that tried to kill her last night. The Food Bank - some people have too much food, others not enough.Available at Amazon. Please CLICK on the book cover.

Blooger's Award.

Thank you Susan Toy.

Family and Friends.

Nieces Pam Cottrell and Jackie Beers

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What's New?

Please check out the new Detective Jo Naylor serialization on the Page bar above. New additions coming soon. Follow the story here on the Scribbler.

Paperback copies of Dark Side of a Promise are available at Chapters - Regent Mall, Fredericton, NB. Cover to Cover in Riverview, NB. And from the Author.

Allan Hudson

About Me

My mother taught me to read, to like books, when I was very young. She also taught me how to write. I grew up in the country, even went to a one-room school which was right across the road from our house. She was the teacher. The days I missed were few. I enjoy reading and some of my favorite authors are Bryce Courtenay, Beth Powning, Dennis LeHane, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Cara Brookins, Susan Toy, Jason Lawson, Lockie Young, Chuck Bowie, Harlan Coben, Leon Uris and Herman Wouk.Writing is so much fun and even though I started later in life, I am so happy to realize my dream. Having this blog so I can share other people's work gives me great pleasure.

I've had many adventures in my life. I've travelled throughout North America, gone skydiving, rock climbing, wilderness camping. I craft stained glass and I enjoy woodworking. I'm blessed with many good friends. I live in the seaside community of Cocagne, New Brunswick, Canada. My wife's name is Gloria. My son's name is Adam and my stepsons' names are Christopher (Mireille) and Mark (Nathalie) Young. My grandchildren are Matthieu, Natasha and Damien. I love them all.Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy my blog. You can reach me by leaving a comment and/or your email address below and I'll respond.

A new Drake Alexander novel

Coming soon...

The Douglas Kyle Memorial Award for Fiction

My story - The Ship Breakers - received Honorable Mention in the Douglas Kyle Memorial awards for New Brunswick Writers Federation's short story category. It's featured in SHORTS Vol.1

The Dark Side of a Promise

Dark Side of a Promise is an edgy, international thriller. A tale of Revenge! Drake Alexander follows the trail of one of the world’s deadliest men which leads him to the unlikeliest locations – Bangladesh, the country of rivers. Bartolo Rizzato murdered his best friend’s sister. Why is he in Asia? It can only be to steal or kill! When Alexander finds him, will he deliver on his promise? (Go to comment box in Novel section above to see what one reader says about the novel) Only $4.99 from Amazon. Please CLICK on the book cover.